Category Archives: Annual Events

Annual Events

The North American 2016 Groundhog Day

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Groundhog Day comes every February 2nd, no matter what the weather. And that’s the modern point, really: to celebrate winter, especially the hope that spring will arrive soon. (Updated Feb. 2, 2016 with the predictions).

Since the groundhog checks its shadow when it wakes up, let’s chase sunrise from east to west in Canada and the USA.

Photo of a Groundhog in Toronto, Ontario by qmnonic (Matt MacGillivray)
Photo of a Groundhog in Toronto, Ontario by qmnonic (Matt MacGillivray)

Where do Canadians Celebrate Groundhog Day?

The first Canadian groundhog to predict the end of winter is Nova Scotia’s Shubenacadie Sam.

Québec asks Fred la Marmotte about sunshine and shadow in Val d’Espoir, in the Gaspé Peninsula .

Ontario needs a team of marmots. Wiarton Willie celebrates his 60th sunrise in Wiarton. Groundhog Gary works in Kleinburg. I suspect Dundas Donna was a one-year wonder; she’s a South American coatimundi who visited Yonge Dundas Square  in Toronto in 2014.

Manitoba’s three groundhogs are Brandon Bob, Manitoba Merv in the Oak Hammock Marsh, and Winnipeg Willow. (Merv is actually a hand puppet, but apparently he pays his union dues to the live critters). CBC reports that Winnipeg Willow died in late January; apparently without a pre-arranged successor. [see Merv’s report, below].

Balzac Billy of Calgary, Alberta, is actually a Richardson’s Ground Squirrel.

I’d say that most people think of Shubenacadie Sam or Wiarton Willie when asked about “Groundhog Day Canada”.

Groundhog Day in the USA

New York State’s Staten Island Chuck inherited his post from Charlotte, who’d had an unfortunate encounter with Mayor de Blasio in the zoo.

The most famous Yankee groundhog is Punxsutawney Phil Sowerby of Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Other eastern Americans include Chuckles the Eighth of Manchester, Connecticut (at the Lutz Museum); and Potomac Phil of Washington, DC.

Ohio’s Buckeye Chuck, Georgia’s General Beauregard Lee (Yellow River Game Ranch in Atlanta, and the only groundhog who holds two doctorates), and  French Creek Freddie in West Virginia are other prognosticators in this annual round of weather prediction. Michigan’s Woody the Woodchuck just came to my attention this year.

The Predictions of Groundhog Day 2016

Here are the 2016 Groundhog Day predictions.

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These Groundhogs Predict an Early Spring in 2016

Thanks to enough cloud cover in the morning, the following groundhogs enjoyed the dark dawn and predicted an early spring.

First out of his burrow, Shubenacadie Sam had enough cloud to claim that Nova Scotia would be blessed with an early spring. [610 CKTB’s and Wiarton Willie says report].

Manitoba Merv added to the joy from his post in the Oak Hammock Marsh. [Early spring coming to southern Manitoba, weather-predicting puppet says]. In Calgary, Balzac Billy was also under a cloud. [Balzac Billy announces early end to winter for Calgarians]

Punxsutawney Phil, the most famous and poetic groundhog, closed his prognostication with “There is no shadow to be cast, An early Spring is my forecast!” [Stormfax Weather Almanac’s 2016 report].

Here are the other Americans looking for an early spring in 2016. Chuckles the Eighth predicted that Connecticut’s ski season will be cut short. [Chuckles VIII Predicts An Early Spring]. By the way, Chuckles is one of the few females on the elite international team of weather varmints. Potomac Phil agreed for the District of Columbia (that’s Washington, DC). [Potomac Phil, the D.C. area’s groundhog, did not see his shadow]. Staten Island Chuck and Chattanooga Chuck also predicted an early spring. [see the Buckeye Chuck reference below]. General Beauregard Lee agreed. [General Beauregard Lee predicts early spring]

Six More Weeks of Winter for 2016

Fred la Marmotte foresaw a lengthy winter in this morning’s sunshine. [6 more weeks, says Fred la marmotte]. Environment Canada predicts some 20cm of snow for Montreal in the near term.

Wiarton Willie’s prediction of a longer winter was probably good news for Ontario’s ski and tourism industry. We’ve had pretty mild conditions and very little snow up to this time. [610 CKTB, above].

Balzac Billy agreed on the “6 weeks” prediction for Alberta [also noted in 6 more weeks, says Fred la marmotte].

Down in the USA, Buckeye Chuck saw the portents in his shadow in Marion, Ohio. So did Woody the Woodchuck in Michigan. [Groundhog Day 2016: Buckeye Chuck predicts more winter…]. So did French Creek Freddie, over in West Virginia. [French Creek Freddie Predicts More Weeks of Winter].

How to Celebrate Groundhog Day

If you live near any of these groundhogs, the best plan is to wake up early and join the festivities; many of them are free to attend.

For an extreme example, Wiarton Willie hosts nearly a week of events from Jan. 28 through Feb. 2nd. Skate, examine a yurt, learn to appreciate ice sculptures, “and so much more”. Many of these are free; check the Wiarton Willie Festival page.

Why not sing for the joy of winter’s impending end? “Carols for Groundhog’s Day”, in Amazon’s Kindle reader version, has lyrics for a dozen Groundhog Day songs. You already know the Christmas carols tunes! It’s a real value via Amazon’s online Canadian and American sites, with seasonal recipes and decorating tips.

More Annual Events in Toronto Canada

My blog tracks many of the annual Toronto events that I find interesting, free or frugal. Today’s article happens to cover an annual winter North American tradition instead.

Disclaimer: DeHaan Services has no relationship to the organizer(s); I am not reimbursed for writing this article. However, DeHaan Services does write web site or advertising copy for clients. Our skills are demonstrated in online articles in Decoded Science, Decoded Pregnancy and other online sites. That’s why DeHaan Services highlights those online articles on this site.

Thanks for reading about the 2016 Groundhog Day in both the USA and Canada.

Annual Events, Toronto Events

Can I Hit or Miss the 2015 Diwali in Toronto?

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Diwali, also called “Deepavali”, the Hindu Festival of Lights, is an annual religious festival on a specific date in a lunar calendar. As such, it “floats” across the Gregorian calendar used by most countries.

So, did I miss Diwali 2015 in Toronto? After all, it’s an annual Toronto event in late autumn. Or is it still in the future?

One Diwali Candle for the Festival of Lights. Image by denharsh (Harsh Agrawal) under CC license.
One Diwali Candle for the Festival of Lights. Image by denharsh (Harsh Agrawal) under CC license.

When is Diwali 2015?

The central date for Diwali 2015 is Wednesday, November 11, which most of us will recognize as Remembrance Day.

The Gerrard India Bazaar already held festivities on the weekend of Nov. 8-9, 2015. That’s similar to the municipal and service organizations that run Remembrance Day ceremonies on the Sunday before Nov. 11; it’s more convenient to attend a family gathering on a weekend.

In fact, there have been at least a dozen Diwali events in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) since late October. A few remain for this week, such as the Brampton ISKCON’s event in Mississauga, and two at 61 Clairville Drive in Toronto. You can see the list on Deepavali.net’s web page for Canada.

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At press time, there’s speculation that the fireworks display off Polson Pier, near Harbourfront, late Sunday night was a Diwali celebration. 680News reported on the hubbub in “Social media ‘explosion’ after Polson Pier fireworks“.  If this indeed had been a celebration of the Festival of Lights, there’s probably a lawyer in Toronto hoping to defend the freedom of religious expression against a charge of disturbing the peace. (Unconfirmed rumour said that another group had arranged for the fireworks… let’s see whether the media track it down).

However, the Festival of Lights is a great reason for celebration within Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism; and the rest of us can join the street festivals such as the one I missed at the Gerrard India Market last weekend. There’s much more background in my previous article, “Why Must Toronto Ask When is Diwali in 2012?“.

Looking for More Annual Events or a Holiday in Toronto Canada?

My blog tracks many of the annual Toronto events that I find interesting, free or frugal.

Disclaimer: DeHaan Services has no relationship to the organizer(s); I am not reimbursed for writing this article. (The site is monetized; buy something through an ad and I should earn a commission). However, DeHaan Services does write web site or advertising copy for clients. Our skills are demonstrated in online articles in Decoded Science, Decoded Pregnancy and other online sites. That’s why DeHaan Services highlights those online articles on this site.

Click the “Toronto Events” category at the bottom of the left-hand column for recent articles in this category. Thanks!

Thanks for reading about 2015 Diwali in Toronto.

Annual Events, Public Service Announcement, Toronto Events

Remembrance Day Events in Toronto for 2015

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Each year we can choose among a range of Remembrance Day events in Toronto. Of course, it’s fitting that most venues host Remembrance Day ceremonies annually; but here’s a reminder of the most obvious choices for your Remembrance Day 2015 in Toronto.

Of course, you know that Nov. 11 is always the date for Remembrance Day. It does not float to a convenient Friday or Monday; so even those who have a day off work cannot guarantee a long weekend in November. However, a few venues hold ceremonies on other dates.

Since 11am signals the “two minutes of silence”, most memorial services begin somewhere between 10:15 and 10:45am.

Cenotaph at Old City Hall in Toronto Ontario. Image by Wanda G (Wanda Gould) under CC license.
Cenotaph at Old City Hall in Toronto Ontario. Image by Wanda G (Wanda Gould) under CC license.

Remembrance Day 2015 at Queen’s Park in Toronto

Queen’s Park is the seat of the most senior government in Toronto: it’s the home of the provincial parliament.

Queen’s Park hosts a Remembrance Day ceremony annually, starting at 10:45am. Look for the crowd standing by a granite wall on the front lawn, south of the legislature. Take the #1 Yonge/University subway line to the Queen’s Park station, or the 506 Carlton streetcar to University Avenue.

At press time, the official web page for the Remembrance Day ceremony at Queen’s Park still shows the 2014 date.

City of Toronto 2015 Remembrance Day Ceremony

The City of Toronto hosts ceremonies at the Old City Hall cenotaph, as well as other locations. The events will be on Nov. 11, unless otherwise noted.

  • Old City Hall‘s ceremony also begins at 10:45am. It’s on the north-east corner of Queen and Bay. The 501 Queen streetcar is the best TTC choice for east/west commuters; or walk west from the #1 subway’s Queen St. station.
  • The East York Civic Centre‘s ceremony also begins at 10:45am. It’s at 850 Coxwell at Mortimer; take the 70 O’Connor bus north from the Coxwell station on the #2 Bloor-Danforth subway line.
  • The Etobicoke Civic Centre starts its service early, at 10:15am. It’s at 399 The West Mall, at Burnhamthorpe.
  • The North York service begins at 10:45, in the George Weston Recital Hall inside the Toronto Centre for the Arts. If you want to avoid a rainy day, this is one of the few indoor ceremonies. Take the #1 subway line to the North York station, and go to 5040 Yonge St.
  • The Scarborough Civic Centre, at 150 Borough Drive, hosts the ceremony on Sunday Nov. 8 at 2pm. Brimley, Ellesmere and McCowan are the major roads bordering this centre.
  • The York Civic Centre‘s Remembrance Day ceremony begins at 10:45am, at 2690 Eglinton Ave. West (at Keele).
  • Experience Remembrance Day in a military setting, at Fort York; also at 10:45am. Fort York is a Toronto museum and a national historic site. Day-long tours are under $10/person. Head to 250 Fort York Boulevard, north of Lake Shore Blvd and west of Bathurst. Look for the Strachan Avenue Military Cemetery.
  • The Metro Toronto Zoo conducts a brief Remembrance Day ceremony at 10:55am sharp at the Waterside Theatre. That’s in the Children’s Zoo Discovery Zone. Ask for directions when you arrive. Veterans (in uniform or wearing their medals), as well as uniformed members of the armed forces and civic EMS workers, gain free admission from 9:30-11am.
  • Many Toronto parks have cenotaphs or other war memorials. You may live or work near a park holding a Remembrance Day service; check your local free advertising newspaper or ask your city councillor, neighbours, or co-workers.

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(Added Nov. 6, 2015). In the Beach area, for example, my city councillor just sent this list:

  • Sunday Nov. 8 at 1:30pm: A veterans’ parade marches from Shoppers’ World at Danforth and Victoria Park, to Legion Branch 11 on Dawes Road. A memorial service will begin there at 2pm.
  • Wednesday Nov. 11 at 11am: A Memorial Day ceremony will be held at the cenotaph in Kew Gardens, with a luncheon at the Baron Byng Legion.
  • Also Wed. Nov. 11, but at 2:30pm: A Remembrance Day ceremony in the Naval Club of Toronto on Gerrard St. (north side of Upper Gerrard, just west of Woodbine).

I’m sure your city councillor is eager to share a similar list of Remembrance Day events in Toronto for your ward.

Links to References for Remembrance Day in Toronto

This official City of Toronto web page for Remembrance Day mentions Old City Hall, the Civic Centres, and Fort York. Click on Nov. 11 on the Metro Toronto Zoo events page to learn more.

Part of Toronto’s military history is revealed by Benn & Jackman’s “Historic Fort York, 1793-1993” in the Canadian or American Kindle version. Fort York lost its first battle in the War of 1812. What happened next? How has Fort York changed over two centuries?

Remembrance Day Ceremonies in Ontario

I’ve just updated “GTA Remembrance Day 2014 Venues” with 2015 links and dates.

The Ontario government supplies a handy online guide to Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ontario. I’m not convinced it is complete, but you may find exactly what you seek.

Looking for More Annual Events or a Holiday in Toronto Canada?

My blog tracks many of the annual Toronto events that I find interesting, free or frugal.

Disclaimer: DeHaan Services has no relationship to the organizer(s); I am not reimbursed for writing this article. I do enjoy writing about annual Toronto events; and I consider this particular post to be a public service announcement. (The site is monetized; buy something through an ad and I should earn a commission).

DeHaan Services does write web site or advertising copy for clients. Our skills are demonstrated in online articles in Decoded Science, Decoded Pregnancy and other online sites. That’s why DeHaan Services highlights those online articles on this site.

Click the “Toronto Events” category at the bottom of the left-hand column for recent articles in this category. Thanks!

Thanks for reading about Remembrance Day events in Toronto for 2015.